workshops & training
We have seen our clients — and therapists! — benefit significantly from doing this work outside, in partnership with nature. We are excited to share what we've learned about this transformative, creative, healing practice with other clinicians and professionals of all kinds. Below you'll find more information on the annual workshops we provide as well as the custom trainings and consultation we can offer. If there is a topic or intervention you'd like to learn more about? Please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.
LOCATIONS
Weather permitting, we facilitate our workshops and trainings in beautiful outdoor areas throughout Minnesota. Regular workshop locations include: Lake Hiawatha Park, Recuperacres, and Richardson Nature Center. We are also happy to come to your organization, school, or area to offer training opportunities.
PRICING AND ACCESSIBILITY
We hope to make our workshops and outdoor groups as accessible as possible. Information about discounts, sliding scales, and physical accessibility is available in the descriptions below. If you have any questions or accessibility requests, please reach out to us!
CANCELLATION POLICY
We are generally not able to offer refunds for cancellation for our workshops, training events, and outdoor groups. However, if you need to cancel after registering, you may attend a future session at no cost. Please reach out to the workshop facilitator for more information.
(re)Discovering the Power of Play and AWE
Workshop Description
Therapeutic work outside with clients allows clinicians and clients access to powerful forces that promote well-being and healing. Leaning into playfulness with clients of all ages and being open to experiences of awe are pathways to awakening aliveness. This highly interactive workshop will give participants the opportunity to experience playing in nature themselves and learn how to incorporate nature-based play into psychotherapy sessions with children AND with adults. The training will include experientials, case examples, demonstrations, small group practice and reflection. Engage your playful side and explore the therapeutic potential of wonder, imagination, and joyful, spontaneous nature.
We will meet outside at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. We will be sitting on the ground, standing, walking for about a quarter mile or so in the woods and there will be opportunities for more active play. Please let us know if you have any concerns about mobility and we can figure it out together. Please wear clothing that you can be comfortable in outside for the afternoon. Event facilitators will be in touch closer to the workshop with more information and a rain plan if needed.
This workshop will be facilitated by Annie Bunio, LICSW. If you have already attended a Nature-Based/Ecotherapy introductory session, this workshop will provide an opportunity to deepen your practice and build confidence in conducting therapy and integrating somatic interventions outdoors. Please feel free to reach out to Annie at annie@naturebased.care with any questions.
Logistics
DATE
Friday, September 18, 2026
TIME
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
LOCATION
Richardson Nature Center: 8737 East Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
3.5 CEUs
COST: $120
WHAT TO BRING
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Sunscreen and/or bug spray
- Water or other beverage (optional)
- Journal and pen (optional)
We offer the workshops for professionals highlighted below regularly, and continue to add to our repertoire based on our continued experience in this burgeoning field as well as the feedback and special requests we receive. We can also provide consultation and training tailored to the specific priorities and interests of your group! Visit our Consultation page or reach out to Kari for more details.
Please email Kari if you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list to receive messages about future trainings. We'd also love to hear any ideas of training topics you would like to see offered!
workshops for professionals offered annually
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
7 hours | 5.5 CEUs | $200
This interactive workshop takes place at Recuperacres and is designed to support therapists and students develop competency to move therapy sessions outdoors and work together with nature as a co-therapist and teacher. This workshop addresses ethical issues and barriers to outdoor therapy and includes experiential somatic-based interventions to use with clients.
Becky Krenz, LMFT generally offers this workshop several times per year. If you are interested in this workshop, please feel free to reach out to Becky at becky@naturebased.care.
Somatic Work in Nature-Based Therapy
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
3.5 hours | 3.5 CEUs | $120
Learn how to partner with nature to help clients safely reconnect with their bodies to enhance clinical practice and overall well-being. Nature can ground us in the present moment and connect us to our bodies, fostering growth and healing in therapy. This highly interactive (intermediate to advanced) workshop gives participants the opportunity to experience what it looks and feels like to work with nature as a therapeutic partner in therapy sessions outside, with a focus on somatic therapy interventions. The training includes case examples, demonstrations, small group practice, and reflection and is facilitated by Becky Krenz, LMFT and Kari Kleven, LICSW.
Nature-Based Therapy: Lessons from the Field
Introduction to Outdoor Ecotherapy in Clinical Practice
Nature-Based Therapy: Lessons from the Field
3.5 hours | 3.5 CEUs | $120
This highly experiential and interactive workshop is designed to share insights gained through our practice about working outside with clients of all ages. Participants learn to identify benefits, barriers, and contraindications related to working outside with clients and understand possibilities for structuring a nature-based session. We explore how the models and interventions many therapists use working inside (mindfulness, somatic work, IFS, CBT) can be used effectively and even enhanced during outside sessions to support a client’s healing and growth. We consider how taking therapy outside of the office can be part of anti-oppressive practices that expands access to mental health services. This training has been offered in the past by Kari Kleven, LICSW and Annie Bunio, LICSW,
Fall 2026
We have some wonderful new nature-based therapists and graduate clinical interns who have joined us recently and have immediate openings for clients of all ages!
View their bios and contact information:
Therapist Wensday Berman is beginning EMDR training and has a few openings for clients seeking EMDR.
Please feel free to fill out our practice contact form or reach out directly to a therapist who you think might be a good fit. We look forward to connecting with you!